This has been a momentous year. 2017 has put our institutions to the test and demanded action in the streets. Making meaning in the midst of the turmoil, we have been reimagining what civic action looks like. Working in collaboration with government and individual citizens, ZERO1 has supported artists across the globe who are applying their creativity to the challenges their communities face.

This year ZERO1 artists made art that mattered: addressing homelessness in San Jose; improving disability inclusion in Moscow; championing economic equity in Guatemala City; probing water quality in Bangkok; cultivating peace in Medellín; promoting environmental health in Phnom Penh. More than ever before, we see the importance of connecting communities directly so that we may share approaches and align our efforts.

The Ars Electronica Festival brings together artists, scientists, and technologists in Linz, Austria every September to create a dialogue around important questions regarding the future. This year’s theme, “Artificial Intelligence: The Other I” investigates the effects of advancing technologies beyond just the economic and social realms.

ZERO1 is going through an exciting transformation. We’ve seen some dramatic shifts in the Silicon Valley arts and technology scene and are making bold moves to take advantage of these changes in unique and powerful ways. With the closure of the Garage in July 2015, we officially moved away from producing the ZERO1 Biennial and will be launching a set of new programs. As a result of these adjustments to our focus and direction, we will be redefining our current mission statement in the coming months. Stay tuned. Our goal is to more fully nurture the rich art and technology network we’ve built over the years, focusing that collective power on our society’s biggest challenges.